Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device for watches, jewelry, lighters, tape cassettes or other valuable items comprises a plurality of frames detachably engaged with one another, the plurality usually being enclosed in an outer frame. A box containing the item is contained in each frame means preferably being provided for preventing the box being withdrawn forwardly. A locking device fixed to the outer frame prevents rearward withdrawal.

United States Patent 1191 Weinstein 1451 Nov. 18, 1975 1 1 DISPLAY DEVICE [75] Inventor:

England [73] Assignee: Clarmere Limited, London, England [22] Filed: Jan. 10, 1975 [21] Appl. No.: 540,097

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser, No. 380,402, July 18, 1973,

abandoned.

301 Foreign Application Priority Data July 21, 1972 United Kingdom 34350/72 [52] US. Cl 211/4; 211/177 [51] Int. C1. E0513 73/00 [58] Field of Search 211/4, 40, 126, 169, 177; 248/27; 312/10, 107, 111, 198; 286/486, 488

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,634,699 7/1927 Upjohn 211/40 ux 2,292,721 8/1942 Staton 1 211/126 X 2,482,174 9/1949 Hake 312/111 2,935,202 5/1960 Doerwald 211/4 Paul Alexander Weinstein, Hendon,

3,452,878 7/1969 Smith 312/107 X 3,487,919 l/197O Elliot et a1. 312/10 X 3,552,817 1/1971 Marcolongo 312/107 3,635,350 11/1972 Wolf 211/40 3,696,940 10/1972 Hoffman et a1... 211/126 3,752,545 8/1973 Schwizer 211/4 X 3,760,952 9/1973 White 211/4 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 619,191 3/1949 United Kingdom 312/107 Primary ExaminerMarion Parsons, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Thomas J. Holko. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kemon, Palmer & Estabrook I [57] ABSTRACT A display device for watches, jewelry, lighters, tape cassettes or other valuable items comprises a plurality of frames detachably engaged with one another, the plurality usually being enclosed in an outer frame. A box containing the item is contained in each frame means preferably being provided for preventing the box being withdrawn forwardly. A locking device fixed to the outer frame prevents rearward withdrawal;

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 1 of 3 n n 10 12 g3 2 lojl L q Q h. F/G.2.

US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet2of3 3,920,125

Sheet 3 0f 3 3,920,125

US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 DISPLAY DEVICE This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 380.402, filed July 18, 1973, and now abandoned.

The invention relates to display devices. The display device with which the invention is particularly concerned comprises structure formed to support a plurality of boxes, each box usually having a transparent viewing wall and containing a watch, piece of jewelry, cassette or cartridge of magnetic tape, cigarette lighter or other item to be displayed.

According to the present invention there is provided a display device comprising a plurality of frames, each supporting at least one box wherein each frame is formed for detachable side-by-side engagement with at least one adjacent frame.

The present invention enables framed boxes or groups of boxes to be built up modular fashion into a display device of any desired size or shape. In preferred embodiments of the invention means are provided for preventing the boxes being removed from the device by unauthorised persons.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame in accordance with the invention with a part ofa similar frame close to it,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2 with a located box diagrammatically illustrated;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a complete display device comprising a plurality of frames and located boxes; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of another complete display device.

Referring initially to FIG. I each frame 1 is square and made up of four side members 2 each of angle section having a front flange 3 and a side flange 4. The frame 1 is made of a rigid but resilient plastics. A box 5 indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 2 and in full in FIGS. 3 4 and 5 has a base part 6 and a transparent lid 7 hingedly joined by protruding hinges 8. A protruding ,catch 9 opposite the hinges 8 holds the box closed. A

retaining element 10 having a laterally inwardly extending lug 11 at the rear end thereof extends from each side of the frame 1. The box 5 is inserted by' .while the lugs 11 restrain rearward withdrawal.

' The outer surfaces of the side flanges 4 are provided with pairs of male and female mating members constituted by spigots I2 and sockets 13. The mating pairs of one frame mate with the matingpairs of an adjacentframe to locate the frames relatively to one another in can then be fixed in an outer frame.

FIG. 4 shows a working embodiment of the invention. A plurality of boxes 5 in frames 1 are interengaged by mating parts 12 and 13 into a rectangular assembly contained in a fixed outer frame 14. A security screen 15 formed of steel rods 16 is hingedly secured by hinges 17 t0 the base of the frame 14 so as to pivot about a horizontal axis between an open position allowing access to the boxes 5 and the closed position shown. A

O catch 18 which can be padlocked holds the screen in the closed position.

FIG. 5 shows another working embodiment. Here two assemblages of frames 1 and boxes 5 are each contained in an outer frame 19. The two frames 19 are disposed back to back and are hingedly connected at the base and locked together at the top by a lock 20. To gain access to the boxes 5 the two parts are hingedly separated from one another.

It will be noted that the devices shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are pilfer proof. The boxes 5 cannot be withdrawn forwardly and access from the rear is denied by the screen 15 in the embodiment of FIG. 4 and the back-toback disposition in FIG. 5.

What we claim is: g

. 1. A display device comprising an assemblage of rectangular frames each frame being of angle section having a front flange and a side flange, a rectangular box comprising a top portion and a base portion joined to one another by a protruding hinge, one of said boxes being fitted and located in each of said frames with said protruding hinge disposed behind the front flange of said frame, the side flanges of said frames having male and female, elements for detachably interconnecting same, each frame being provided with rearwardly extending resilient retaining elements, said retaining elements terminating in inwardly extending lugs, said retaining elements permitting the insertion and withdrawal of a box in each frame with said protruding hinge engaging said front flange and preventing movement of said box in one direction and said lugs engaging said box and preventing movement in the opposite direction with respect to said frame.

2. A display device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rectangular box is provided on the side opposite said protruding hinge with a protruding catch, said catch being disposed behind said front flange and engaging said'front flange and preventing movement of said box in one direction in conjunction with said hinge.

3. A display device as set forth in claim 2 wherein 7 said frames-are provided with lockable means including a screen removably secured to said frames.

,. 4. Adisplay device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said frames are provided with lockable means including another assemblage of frames removably secured to said first mentioned frames.

II! =I 

1. A display device comprising an assemblage of rectangular frames each frame being of angle section having a front flange and a side flange, a rectangular box comprising a top portion and a base portion joined to one another by a protruding hinge, one of said boxes being fitted and located in each of said frames with said protruding hinge disposed behind the front flange of said frame, the side flanges of said frames having male and female elements for detachably interconnecting same, each frame being provided with rearwardly extending resilient retaining elements, said retaining elements terminating in inwardly extending lugs, said retaining elements permitting the insertion and withdrawal of a box in each frame with said protruding hinge engaging said front flange and preventing movement of said box in one direction and said lugs engaging said box and preventing movement in the opposite direction with respect to said frame.
 2. A display device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rectangular box is provided on the side opposite said protruding hinge with a protruding catch, said catch being disposed behind said front flange and engaging said front flange and preventing movement of said box in one direction in conjunction with said hinge.
 3. A display device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said frames are provided with lockable means including a screen removably secured to said frames.
 4. A display device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said frames are provided with lockable means including another assemblage of frames removably secured to said first mentioned frames. 